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Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from disappointing loss to Rutgers

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with wide receiver Jayden Reed #5 of the Michigan State Spartans after his touchdown in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on October 24, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with wide receiver Jayden Reed #5 of the Michigan State Spartans after his touchdown in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on October 24, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football got off to an ugly start against Rutgers on Saturday and had to play from behind in the second half. What’d we learn?

Pain.

Michigan State entered Saturday’s game against Rutgers expecting to take its first win of the season, getting ready for Michigan the following week. The Scarlet Knights had other ideas, ending a 21-game conference losing streak with a 38-27 win over the Spartans.

This was the Spartans’ first loss to the Scarlet Knights since they joined the Big Ten and you can’t say anything other than Michigan State looked unprepared.

Seven turnovers really were the difference as the Spartans couldn’t hold on to the ball or momentum.

What did we learn from this season-opening loss to Rutgers?

3. Offensive line is still not good

Anyone who turned in on Saturday was hoping for a few things: competent quarterback play, an improved offense and an offensive line with a pulse.

Michigan State got decent play from Rocky Lombardi, the pass game was decent while the run game struggled and that was because the offensive line didn’t have much of a pulse. It was a really bad afternoon for the Spartans in the trenches which was surprising given the fact that the Scarlet Knights haven’t exactly had dominant fronts over the years.

Chris Kapilovic was supposed to be one of the better hires on Mel Tucker’s staff, but his offensive line that he inherited from Mark Dantonio was not good. Like at all.

The Spartans were manhandled up front and they couldn’t seem to open up any holes for the run game. This unit needs to improve drastically moving forward if they want any chance at winning a game this season.

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